Greetings!

Happy St. Patrick's Day, and welcome to the new look for the (now monthly) MSFCA E-Newsletter!

Below you'll find articles and other important submissions about important upcoming dates, relevant news and more.

If you'd like to submit an item for an upcoming issue, please click here.
Submissions are due the last day of the month for the next month's issue .
Voting for the future of the MSFCA

T. John Cunningham,
MSFCA President


The President, Vice President, and regional directors are all up for election this year. If you are interested in running for an elected office, submit your name, office being sought, and a profile of your qualifications in writing before April 1, 2019.  

This Association is incredibly valuable to the Minnesota fire service and I encourage members to get involved. Together, we can continue to further our mission and guide the Association into the future!
Developing Current and Future Leaders
Membership

 If you haven't already renewed your dues for 2019 you may be missing out on a bounty of MSFCA Member Benefits! Click the review what's available to members and make the most of your membership this year.

Starting next month this E-Newsletter will only be distributed to current, 2019 members.
Legislative Bill Tracker

Our new Government Relations firm (Lockridge Grindal Nauen) provides the Legislative Committee with a weekly update on the status of bills of interest to the MN fire service.

Members can log into the site and download the file that has clickable links to current bills.
Record February Snowfall Brings With It Concerns
About Snow Loads

Tom Jenson,
Fire Code Specialist


Minnesota Fire Service Foundation Scholarship application for Post-Secondary Education is now open for the 2019-2020 School Year
Watch your mail for your MSFCA Membership Cards
Coming March 2019

 Back by popular demand these personalized and branded identification cards will have your name, position and department on the front, and list your years of membership on the back.

If you find any errors on your card, please contact the office and we’ll get your record corrected: 800-743-0911 • office@msfca.org

Minnesota CAER Prepares its 2019 Programs

Designed for both experienced and new first responders, these exercises provide an opportunity to enhance awareness and knowledge of pipeline safety. 

Jalaa Miller,
MN CAER Program Manager  

SAFER Grants
Now Open

The SAFER Program makes available $350 million in competitive grants to fire departments and statewide or local volunteer firefighter support groups.

The application period for the FY 2018 SAFER Program will open on Friday, February 15, 2019 at 8 am EST and will close on Friday, March 22, 2019 at 5 PM EST.
Social Media Corner

The snowiest February on record is behind us. But the drifts that remain bring some important reminders to share with community members on your social media channels.

Jen Longaecker
Public Information Officer and
Social Media Coordinator, MN DPS

MSFCA Social Media

Click the links at the bottom of this message to stay connected with MSFCA's Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter accounts. Facebook is the most active currently, but all will become more active throughout the year.
Publication Distribution Changes
MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTERS
The MSFCA E-Newsletter has undergone major changes this Spring. Instead of a downloadable .pdf file by e-mail six times a year, it is now more interactive and responsive to modern technology.

The e-mail will be delivered to members monthly, and enable MSFCA convey more timely information on upcoming events, award deadlines, and more.
MAGAZINE DISTRIBUTION
The printed Minnesota Fire Chief Magazine is changing from a frequency of six issues per year to four, on a seasonal, quarterly basis.

Don’t forget, all members have the opportunity to become published by submitting photographs and articles for consideration in every issue.
Sponsorship Program - Announcing Levels in April E-Newsletter

We are incredibly excited to have launched a new sponsorship program at the beginning of year!

The sponsoring companies who support the MSFCA's mission are valuable partners of the Association.

New this year the benefits available to them are structured into 1- to 5-bugle levels, with 5 bugles representing the highest sponsorship level available.

Companies at each level will be announced in the next E-Newsletter.
IMPORTANT 2019 DATES
Minnesota State
Fire Chiefs Association
800-743-0911